At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., our Berwyn bicycle accident lawyers help injured cyclists understand their rights and pursue compensation from the parties responsible for their injuries.
Since 2002, our firm has represented hardworking people facing difficult situations after accidents. With more than 75 years of combined legal experience and over $100 million recovered for clients, we bring a unique perspective to bicycle accident cases because Charlie Therman previously worked on the insurance side of injury claims. That experience gives our team firsthand insight into how insurers evaluate cases, dispute injuries, and attempt to reduce payouts.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case with a Berwyn personal injury lawyer.
Who Our Berwyn Bicycle Accident Lawyers Represent
We represent cyclists injured in a wide range of preventable accidents throughout Berwyn and the surrounding communities. Bicycle crashes often result in significant injuries because riders have little protection when a vehicle, roadway hazard, or unsafe condition causes a collision.
Our attorneys handle claims involving:
- Drivers who fail to yield to cyclists.
- Dooring accidents involving parked vehicles.
- Distracted or impaired drivers.
- Speed-related collisions.
- Rideshare vehicle crashes.
- Delivery truck and commercial vehicle accidents.
- Unsafe roadway conditions.
- Uninsured and underinsured drivers.
- Fatal bicycle accidents and wrongful death claims.
Every case is different. Some claims involve straightforward driver negligence, while others require investigation into roadway design, vehicle maintenance, employer responsibility, or government liability.
We identify all available sources of compensation and build a strategy based on the facts of your case.
Proving Fault After a Bicycle Accident
Successful bicycle accident claims are built on evidence. The sooner evidence is preserved, the easier it is to establish how the collision occurred and who should be held accountable.
Illinois law generally gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motorists under 625 ILCS 5/11-1502. Drivers must also comply with laws designed to protect cyclists, including Illinois’ prohibition against opening a vehicle door into moving traffic under 625 ILCS 5/11-1407.
Depending on the circumstances, evidence we may gather to help prove fault can include the following:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera footage
- Dashcam video
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses
- Cell phone records
- Vehicle damage
- Bicycle damage
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction findings
Our Berwyn bicycle accident attorneys work quickly to preserve available evidence before it disappears. Video footage can be overwritten, witnesses may become difficult to locate, and physical evidence can be lost if an investigation is delayed.
Illinois Comparative Fault Rules
Insurance companies frequently attempt to shift blame onto injured cyclists. They may argue that a rider was not visible, failed to follow traffic laws, or contributed to the crash in some way.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system. If you are found more than 50% responsible for the collision, you cannot recover compensation. If you are 50% or less responsible, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Because fault disputes can significantly affect the value of a claim, gathering evidence early often makes a substantial difference in the outcome of a case.
Insurance Tactics in Bicycle Accident Claims
Illinois uses a fault-based insurance system. In many cases, compensation is pursued through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance coverage. Additional coverage may also be available through commercial policies, rideshare insurance policies, or uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Insurance adjusters often contact injured cyclists shortly after a crash. While they may sound helpful, their goal is to limit what the insurance company pays.
Common tactics include:
- Requesting recorded statements.
- Disputing the severity of injuries.
- Blaming preexisting conditions.
- Challenging medical treatment.
- Questioning whether injuries were caused by the crash.
- Offering quick settlements before treatment is complete.
Our firm handles all communications with insurance companies, so you do not have to deal with these tactics alone. Charlie Therman’s experience working on the insurance side provides valuable insight into how claims are evaluated and negotiated.
Recoverable Damages and Typical Timelines
Compensation covers both economic and non-economic losses. Your claim’s value depends on the severity of injuries, required treatment, long-term effects, and how the crash limits your work and daily life. Thorough documentation drives better results.
Common categories of compensation include:
- Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Follow-up visits, medication, and medical devices
- Lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and job retraining
- Bike, helmet, and gear replacement or repair
- Pain, suffering, and loss of normal life
- Wrongful death damages for eligible family members
Why Choose Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C.?
You want a legal team that communicates clearly, returns your calls, and treats your case with the attention it deserves.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we take a client-focused approach to every case. We understand that many injured cyclists are worried about medical bills, missing work, and supporting their families while recovering.
Our firm offers:
- More than 75 years of combined legal experience.
- Over $100 million recovered for clients.
- Representation on a contingency fee basis.
- Responsive communication throughout your case.
- Relationships with medical providers who may treat on a lien basis.
- Trial-ready preparation when settlement offers are not fair.
We believe our clients should never feel like case numbers. When you hire our firm, you receive personal attention and direct guidance throughout the process.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit?
Most Illinois personal injury claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.
Claims involving government entities may have shorter filing deadlines under the Illinois Tort Immunity Act. Waiting too long can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation and can make evidence more difficult to obtain.
Speaking with an attorney soon after a crash allows important evidence to be preserved while memories and records remain fresh.
Contact a Berwyn Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
A bicycle accident can leave you facing physical, financial, and emotional challenges that last long after the collision itself. You should not have to deal with insurance companies alone while trying to recover from your injuries.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. has been helping injured people throughout the Chicago area since 2002. We are prepared to investigate your case, explain your options, and pursue the compensation available under Illinois law.
Choose Charlie. Contact us today for a free consultation with a bicycle accident attorney in Berwyn.
